Imelda’s Happy Tamales – Blending Traditions and Compassion for a Better Community

Tamales. A holiday favorite and Mesoamerican tradition that dates back for centuries. Over 500 recipes of the popular dish have been discovered in Latin America, and the number grows as fans add their personal touch. For Imelda Hartley, the traditional dish is a way to live her passion and give back to the community.

Imelda’s Happy Tamaleswas founded in 2015 with the mission to not only provide flavorful gourmet tamales, but to create an establishment for victims of domestic violence, giving them the foundation for a fresh start. As a domestic violence survivor, Imelda understands the hardships that come with the trauma, including the need for financial liberty to break the cycle. Now, through Happy Tamales, Imelda employs a handful of domestic violence victims, giving them the tools and compensation that gives them the opportunity for a better future.

“Domestic violence is a huge social issue,” said Imelda. “I’m a survivor, and perfectly understand that the lack of financial stability is an obstacle to break the cycle.”

For Imelda, the support from the community is heartwarming. A stamp of approval that confirms that she’s making great food and a positive impact.

“When I hear people say that my tamales are the best they’ve ever tried, it fills me with pride,” said Imelda. “It might be my secret dough and salsa recipe,” she added.

Imelda also values the support of organizations like Fuerza Local. With support through marketing and networking opportunities, Imelda was recently able to make her biggest sale to date.

“Thanks to the support of Fuerza Local, my tamales were labeled as ‘best in the Valley’,” said Imelda “That led to a successful $1,600 sale to a businessman that was impressed with my creations.”

As her business continues to grow and become more recognized by the community, Imelda has set a goal to touch even more lives. Imelda plans to begin sourcing her produce locally, further impacting the reach of her food business. She hopes to be able to source the vegetables used for her vegan tamales from community gardens across the Valley. Imelda’s goal for 2017 is also to acquire more catering contracts and therefore hire more staff, giving even more victims a second chance at life.